ShareThisI receive many e-mails offering useful and interesting ideas on what can be done to improve home interiors. Here are some bits and pieces of information that might be of interest to you.
Do you have a favorite photo, perhaps of a family member or a pet? You could enlarge it, frame it and hang it on a wall. Or, you can be more creative and send it in to a company called Fotobed and have them turn it into a machine-washable work of art. They can put your photo on a blanket, a shower curtain, a duvet cover -- even onto throw pillows or pillowcases. These photo-art pieces can be used for your own home or perhaps given as personalized photo gifts. (Christmas is coming!) All you have to do is select a photo from your digital camera, send it to Fotobed, pick the media you want the photo to be applied to and, next thing you know, your photo is on a pillow or blanket or whatever medium you choose. Pricing is affordable, too, from $40 to $150. You can call for ideas and guidelines at 1-888-FOTOBED or go online to check for yourself at www.fotobed.com.
Everybody is talking about being green. And green includes clean air. A company called Saint-Gobain features a product called Novelio -- a paintable wall covering that has an air-purifying effect. The air purifier is said to last up to 10 years. They also have an antimicrobial, paintable wall covering. These are a few of the great qualities of the product:
-- Hard-wearing: smoothes over cracks and reinforces delicate surfaces
-- Ultra-hygienic: breathable, reduces your risk of mold and mildew growth
-- Easy maintenance: a simple wipe-down will keep the surface immaculate
-- Fireproof: perfect for public spaces
-- Durable: withstands friction, shock-resistant, ideal for intensive use
Now let's talk pets.
How do you create a livable space for yourself and your pet that also fits with the decor? We can start with fabrics. Indoor/outdoor fabrics are quite durable and very washable. You might consider upholstering your sofa and chairs in this type of fabric. Also, most regular fabrics can be treated with sprays that allow for similar durability and washability as outdoor fabrics.
Wood is susceptible to scratches and gnawing from kittens and puppies. Consider storing the wood tables and using inexpensive metal tables until the animals are trained. Go to secondhand stores for bargains, then sell them off at a garage or yard sale later. Another thought is to put protection on the corners of the wood tables, where it is tempting for the pet to chew. The protective corners can be purchased at children's stores. And don't forget the baby gate to keep pets out of rooms where redoing the decor is out of the question. Get a large pillow for your pet's bed and cover it in a fabric that coordinates with the room.
(Rosemary Sadez Friedmann, an interior designer in Naples, Fla., is author of "Mystery of Color." For design inquiries, write to Rosemary at DsgnQuest(at)aol.com.)
CREATIVE ENVIRONMENTS
